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Josep Bartomeu: 'Barcelona players didn't oppose Antoine Griezmann signing'

By Leo Nieboer | 07 September 2019

Bartomeu: 'Barcelona players didn't oppose Griezmann'

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists that senior players did not oppose the club's decision to sign Antoine Griezmann this summer.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made it clear that the dressing room did not oppose the signing of Antoine Griezmann.

The club, having pursued Griezmann for the past 18 months, secured the Frenchman's signature for a fee of £108m earlier in the summer.

However, it has been reported that the senior players, including Lionel Messi, wanted the club to place emphasis on bringing about a return to Camp Nou for Neymar.

Speaking to Barca TV, Bartomeu said: "The dressing room did not reject us signing Griezmann.

"The players don't give their opinions on signings, it is the technical team who decide."

Although Barcelona have endured a shaky start to the 2019-20 campaign, winning one of their opening three games, Griezmann was extremely impressive during a 5-2 win over Real Betis, scoring twice and claiming an assist.

Reports have suggested that the Catalans could face a legal challenge over Griezmann, with Atletico Madrid claiming that, since negotiations commenced in March, they are owed an extra €80m (£72.1m) due to a clause in Griezmann's previous contract.